The State of the Union

by Marvin Shilmer 142 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Yerusalyim

  Scots,

  The amount of applause was no greater than it has been for most presidents during the State of the Union address. I found it interesting and inspiring that the single longest applause break and standing ovation was given when Bush expressed appreciation for the sacrafices being made by US service men and women. It's about time!

  I found the speech was quite well written and quite well delivered. Bush's numbers went up soundly. Just before the speech some 55% of Americans that Bush was addressing their concerns, after the speech, that figure jumped to some 87%.

  Support for a war with Iraq jumped some 10% to about 77%.

  Taxes,

  My household income was some $44,000 last year...my tax bill after an itemized but fairly standard deduction...about $200. Being soundly in the middle class with that income, I don't think that giving me a tax break is going to stimulate the economy all that much.

  My uncle's income is above the $150.000 bracket, the company he owns does several million a year. If he recieves a tax break, he can spend more, and invest more, spuring the economy. If his company receives incentives to invest, it will grow and he can hire more people, THAT stimulates the Economy.

  Under the Bush tax plan, some 95 Million Americans will receive (keep) on average, $1,100, THAT will stir the economy.

  Bush knows what Kennedy and Reagan both did, CUTTING TAXES INCREASES Federal revenue. In Reagan's 8 years his tax cuts doubled the amount of federal revenue, HOWEVER, the democrat congress spent $3 for every $1 of increased revenue.

  I like Bush, I like that he's addressing AIDs in Africa (come on liberals) that he's concerned about disadvantaged kids (come on liberals). That he's backing hydrogen fuel celled cars (come on EcoNuts) I like his approach to the economy, and his approach to foriegn policy.
• 

  Scarlet

  Realist Perry is not exaggerating he actually is giving more credit to those that pay the tax bill. It is actually the top 1% that pay the majority of the tax bill.

  Xander I think it is sad you live with such anger and envy. If through going to college and working hard you became rich and could put your children in one of the top schools and pay for their college wouldn't you? Wouldn't you want your child to be successful?

  I am 25 work 60+ hours a week and go to school full time so I will be able to provide that life for my children to be and they don't have to work and go to school like I have had to.

  In the United States we all have equal opportunities to make a success out of our lives. That is the beauty of living in this country. Why should goverment take away the right they have given us, the right to succeed. If you choose not to succeed and make something out of your life others shouldn't have to pay for it IMHO.

  Edited by - Scarlet on 29 January 2003 9:26:22

  Edited by - Scarlet on 29 January 2003 9:26:46
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  Realist

  yeru,

  of course the speech was well written. they are no idiots!

  Just before the speech some 55% of Americans that Bush was addressing their concerns, after the speech, that figure jumped to some 87%.

  Support for a war with Iraq jumped some 10% to about 77%.

  wow thats scary if true!

  addressing AIDs in Africa (come on liberals) that he's concerned about disadvantaged kids (come on liberals). That he's backing hydrogen fuel celled cars (come on EcoNuts)

  hmmmm...just a view weeks ago the US government blocked a world wide initiative that would have allowed poor countries to produce cheap generic versions of anti aids and other drugs.

  what did he say about hydrogen fuel? how much is he gonna invest in this research?

  Scarlet,

  not the 95% was off but the comment about full blown communism. the european countries have less poor people than the US and are far far away from communism.

  Edited by - realist on 29 January 2003 9:26:23
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  Yerusalyim

  Realist,

  of course the speech was well written. they are no idiots!

  Good to hear you finally say that, too often the lefties dismiss Bush and cronies as "an idiot."

  wow thats scary if true!

  It's true, but not scary, it just goes to show that the lefties are not in the mainstream of America but at the EXTREMES of America.

  hmmmm...just a view weeks ago the US government blocked a world wide initiative that would have allowed poor countries to produce cheap generic versions of anti aids and other drugs.

  That's called protecting the American Economy. Bush is Proposing $15 Billion in aid to africa.

  what did he say about hydrogen fuel? how much is he gonna invest in this research?

  I think the figure was some 2.5 billion. Funded better by the "oil" president, than it was by Silly Willy Clinton. Things that make ya go HMMMMMMM!

  Also, for all you anti tax cut folks. Why not excelerate the already approved tax cuts. Why not do away with the marriage penalty?
• 

  borgfree

  There seems to be two threads of advise on this topic. One is advise by some who have actually made it, and one is advise from those who complain that the government (taxpayer) has not given it to them and others. If I were a young person reading this thread I would take the advise of the ones who have actually made it and know how it is done.

  Borgfree
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  Scarlet

  So Realist you want to live in a socialist country then? Yes Europe may have less so called poor people but they take your paycheck and divide it up among the poor and yourself. They also have lacked in technology over the years and Medical care. Why do you think so many come to the U.S. to live? There is no drive in other countries to succeed because no matter what you do your pay will pretty much be the same. Look at what socialized medicine has done to Canda. People are on waiting list to get proper care they are willing to pay the price to come to America to get care. You can say calling it communism is too far I will agree with you there but I would not want to live in socialist nation either. America works because we are free to make choices when it comes to our success and failure, we are not handed our success we work for it and that is why our nation thrives.
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  Yerusalyim

  a good friend of mine in Germany ( a german national) is a single male who does NOT pay the church tax (which is about 7%) His gross monthly income before going to the Euro was about 5000DM. After all his taxes his net income was 2400DM. this translates into a Gross of about $2500 and net of about $1200. I for one am NOT ready to pay more than 50% of my income in taxes. You want the "socialism" talked about in Europe, it COSTS YOU MONEY. And DECREASES your motivation to earn more.
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  borgfree

  I think it may be too late Yerusalyim, I take home 2/3 of what I earn now, and, that is before sales taxes, luxury taxes, and every other tax we have to pay, for everything we spend, or do. I have heard commentators say that we already pay over 50% of our income in taxes.

  Borgfree
• 

  Perry

  The Result of the Speech
• 

  dubla

  xander-

  And WTF kind of person is BEHIND removing taxes on stocks DIVIDENDS?!?! This is so unreal, it isn't even funny.

  well, me for one, and probably the majority if not all of my clients. you seem to be under the delusion that all dividend yielding stock owners are rich, which couldnt be farther from the truth. will removing the dividend tax help the rich? sure it will. will it help the middle class american, who has a $30,000 ira stock portfolio? absolutely. you dont have to be rich to own stocks, and the majority of my clients are far from rich....but they could sure use the dividend tax cut. not to mention it would have an overall beneficial affect on the market, which would also help the middle class americans 401k.

  aa